Determinants of the Adoption of PhysicalSoil and Water Conservation Practices in Case of Dendi District, West Shoa Zone, Orormia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, soil erosion is a severe problem and a major cause of the decline of agricultural productivity. Interventions were taken by introducing SWC practices. However, the adoption rates of these practices remain below the expected levels in Ethiopia and particularly in the study area. This study aims to identify determinants of adoption of SWC practices in study area. Descriptive and explanatory method of research design, as well as the mixed type of research approach was employed. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary source. Multistage sample methodnumbers of 190 survey responses in the study area.From the total sample respondents (83.7%) were SWC adopters and (16.3%) of the respondents were non-adopters. In addition to this, the semi structure survey schedule interview face to face respondent, key informal interview and focus group discussion with triangulations primary data was used to strengthen the information that has been collected. The data has been analyzed through, descriptive statistics and binary logistic econometric model. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, percentage and also, inferential statistics such as t-test and chi-square were used for analyzing the data.The logistic model results showed that education level, number of family size, plot land holding, number livestock holding, access to training, distance from home to farm plot, access to extension, access to credit and slope land at 5% significantly determine the adoption of SWC practices in the study area. Sex and marital status indicates that at slightly 10% significantly determine the adoption of SWC practices in the study area while off farming income and perception of HH on erosion condition 1% significantly determine the adoption of SWC practices in the study area. Recommended the government, NGO and stockholders should consider these factors affect to enhance farmers‟adoption of introduced SWC practices and to promote agricultural productivity and environmental quality.